Special Considerations

Advancement in Camp Settings

5.0.1.1 Procedures Established by Council Advancement Committee

Procedures for advancement in camp are established by
the council advancement committee in compliance with
national procedures, and under the direction of the
council executive board. The camp director and program
director, and the committee responsible for camp program
should be included in the process. Their expertise will
be important in evaluating practicality, and their buy-in
can improve cooperation from the camp staff. Once
procedures are in place, advancement committee
representatives should periodically visit each resident
camp to assure compliance. The visits can also surface
new ideas on improving implementation and building a
worthwhile partnership.

5.0.1.2 Procedural Examples

Below are camp advancement procedures that could be
considered. There may be more, but few camps should
need all of them.

3. How the council advancement committee will
approve camp merit badge counselors

4. Lesson plans or guidelines for instruction of merit
badges and other advancement

5. Guidelines on advancement-related equipment
and support

6. Procedures for accepting work completed before
camp begins

7. Communication plans to build awareness of camp
practices, such as those related to scheduling,
prerequisites, Scoutmaster approvals, paperwork, etc.

8. Record-keeping practices that will help if rank
advancement, merit badges, or merit badge partials
are questioned later

5.0.1.3 Advancement Committee Approves Merit Badge Counselors

Resident camp standards require a letter from the
council advancement committee approving merit badge
counselors. There are no camp-related exemptions from
the qualifications described under “Qualifications of
Counselors,” 7.0.1.1. Councils may not change the rules
about who qualifies; this includes eligibility age. Staff
members under 18 with subject-matter knowledge may
assist with instruction, but they must work with qualified
and approved counselors. Instruction may take place in
group settings, but it must be done in accordance with
the procedures described in “Group Instruction,” 7.0.3.2.

5.0.1.4 Statement on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement

Though stated earlier in this publication, it bears
repeating here: No council, committee, district, unit,
or individual has the authority to add to or subtract
from advancement requirements. There are no
camp-related exemptions except those described in
“Advancement for Members With Special Needs,”
10.0.0.0. Camp counselors and those assisting
them, regardless the circumstances, must comply.
If requirements as written cannot be completed at
camp, they must be done elsewhere. The Application
for Merit Badge “blue card” (see “Unit Leader
Signs Application for Merit Badge,” 7.0.0.2) has
space to record and initial what is finished, and
age 18 is the only limit to finishing partials.

5.0.1.5 Advancement Committee as a Partner in Camp-Related Advancement

Council advancement committees that partner with camp
staffs and approach solutions jointly are more likely to
see strong programs. Implementing a merit badge program
at camp is not a simple task. It is not something to consider
from afar and then make rules about. Committees with
members who make the trip and lend a hand are more
likely to see successful results. An example might be
helping the staff meet the camp standards that require
training in several areas around advancement.

5.0.2.0 Extended Absence From Scouting

Members who leave a BSA program are welcome to return
if they are eligible and in good standing. They take up
where they left off, assuming the last verifiable rank.
It may be necessary for them to produce advancement
documentation, or to have records updated or transferred
from another council. The time away shall not be held
against them, and they shall not be made to redo
requirements. Because time spent in positions of responsibility
(“Positions of Responsibility,” 4.2.3.4) or active participation
(“Active Participation,” 4.2.3.1) need not be continuous,
any periods of activity before leaving count toward the
next rank. The new unit leader, however, may check with
past unit leaders, parents, or others to confirm time spent
meets the respective requirements.

5.0.3.0 Lone Scouting

Boys who do not have access to traditional Scouting units
can become Lone Cub Scouts and Lone Boy Scouts. In the
following or similar circumstances, they may find this an
appropriate option:

Each Lone Cub Scout or Lone Boy Scout must work with
a Lone Scout counselor—preferably his parent, but the
counselor might also be a religious leader, teacher,
neighbor, or Scouting volunteer. Regardless, even if a
parent, he or she must complete Youth Protection training,
be at least 21 years of age, registered with the Boy
Scouts of America, and meet its adult membership
requirements. More details can be found in the Lone
Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook, No. 605978,
an essential tool in carrying out this program.

To register as a Lone Cub Scout or Lone Boy Scout,
application can be made through the council service
center. Lone Scout counselors must register using the
standard adult application. Those living abroad may
inquire with the Boy Scouts of America International
Department at the national office. Lone Scouting is not
an alternative for those who just don’t like the local units
or cannot get along with them.

It is permissible and even beneficial for Lone Scouts to meet
from time to time with others in the area, or visit a unit if
possible. These meetings can provide additional instruction
and counseling to promote further advancement, and also
a more public forum for recognizing achievement.

5.0.3.1 Lone Scout Advancement Procedures

Because Lone Scouts are not registered with units, we can
exercise some responsible flexibility with advancement.
This is not to say anything goes: Lone Scouting is not a
place to register a boy simply to facilitate parental approval
of advancement. Requirements for ranks, badges, or
awards that can be met by one Scout working with his
counselor must be fulfilled as written. If family members,
neighbors, or friends can be like a “den” or “troop,” this
may increase what can be met as established.
Some wording issues are simple and do not require
council approval. For example, a Lone Scout may fulfill
a position of responsibility by serving in his school, place
of worship, in a club, etc. Where it is not possible to
meet requirements as written, a Lone Scout counselor may
suggest equal or very similar alternative requirements.
These must have council advancement committee approval.
Dissimilar requirements should be allowed only in
extreme circumstances, or when they cannot be met
without extreme hazard or hardship. See the Lone Scout
Friend and Counselor Guidebook for details.

5.0.3.2 Lone Scouts and Merit Badges

A Lone Scout earns merit badges by working with adult
counselors who meet the qualifications as stated under
“Qualifications of Counselors,” 7.0.1.1. They can be
recruited from among teachers, hobbyists, business
leaders, members of various clubs, etc. Before they
serve, the council or district advancement committee,
according to local practices, must approve them. A list
of preapproved counselors can be obtained by calling
the local council service center. For more information,
see “The Merit Badge Program,” 7.0.0.0.

5.0.3.3 Eagle Scout Applications for Lone Scouts

When a Lone Scout has completed the Eagle Scout
requirements, he works with the district or council
advancement committee according to local practices
(see “Boards of Review,” 8.0.0.0). The Eagle Scout
application goes to the council service center, but
since the Lone Scout is not affiliated with a unit, the
processor there must send the application to the national
Advancement Team for processing. It cannot be submitted
through ScoutNET. Since there is no “unit committee”
for a Lone Scout, the unit committee chair signature line
on the Eagle Scout application is left blank. No unit
committee approval is required for the Eagle Scout
service project proposal.

5.0.4.0 Youth From Other Countries

Youth from other countries who temporarily
reside in the United States, or have moved
here, may register in a BSA unit and participate
in advancement. If progress from a foreign Scouting
association is to be considered and applied to BSA
requirements, then the foreign Scout must meet in person
(or over electronic media) with members of the council or
district advancement committee, along with at least one
adult leader or committee member of the receiving unit.
Previous advancement work is reviewed to determine the
BSA rank—up to, but not including Eagle Scout rank—the
youth is qualified to receive. The candidate must present
evidence of membership and advancement from the
previous association. Once a rank is determined, it is
reported through the BSA’s Internet Advancement or on
an advancement report.

This procedure applies to all ranks except Eagle Scout,
which is not considered equivalent to any other association’s
rank. If it can be established that Life rank has been
achieved, then the council or district advancement
committee can determine which BSA merit badges may
be awarded based on previous work. This may leave a
number of additional badges to earn—required or not—
to achieve Eagle. Requirements for active participation,
position of responsibility, Scout spirit, the service project,
and the unit leader conference must be completed in a
BSA unit. This procedure also applies to members of the
BSA who, while living abroad, have earned advancement
in another Scouting association.

5.0.5.0 Religious Principles

From time to time, issues related to advancement call
for an understanding of the position of the Boy Scouts
of America on religious principles. In the appendix
(section 11), see the Rules and Regulations of the
Boy Scouts of America (article IX), and clause 1,
Declaration of Religious Principle, from article IX in
the Charter and Bylaws of the BSA. The following
interpretative statement may help to clarify this position:
The Boy Scouts of America does not define what constitutes
belief in God or practice of religion. Neither does the
BSA require membership in a religious organization or
association for membership in the movement. If a Scout
does not belong to a religious organization or association,
then his parent(s) or guardian(s) will be considered
responsible for his religious training. All that is required
is the acknowledgment of belief in God as stated in
the Scout Oath, and the ability to be reverent as stated
in the Scout Law.

Bestowing Posthumous Awards

If, prior to death, a youth member in any BSA program
has met the requirements for a rank or award, including
age and service, he or she may receive it posthumously.
If a required board of review has not been conducted,
it is held according to the methods outlined in “Boards of
Review,” 8.0.0.0. It is appropriate to invite parents or
guardians and friends to discuss the efforts made toward
the rank.
For the Eagle Scout rank, the application is verified at
the council service center, but it must be sent to the
national Advancement Team for processing. A cover letter
from the Scout executive or designee must indicate it as
posthumous. This triggers changes to the congratulatory
letter returned with the pocket card and certificate.
Note that the same procedures regarding timing of
an Eagle Scout board of review apply in posthumous
cases. See “Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the
18th Birthday,” 8.0.3.1.

Spirit of the Eagle Award

The Boy Scouts of America has created the Spirit of the
Eagle Award as an honorary posthumous recognition
for registered youth members who have lost their lives
through illness or accident. It is offered by the National
Court of Honor as a final salute and tribute in celebration
of the recipient’s life, and publicly recognizes his or her
contributions to the mission of Scouting.